Ritz-Carlton to Open Resort on Langkawi Island

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A rendering of the Chinese restaurant dining option in the evening.

HONG KONG—The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., LLC, in agreement with AJ Resorts SDN BHD, will open a resort on the island of Langkawi, Malaysia, in 2015.

The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, with 132 rooms, including 42 villas, brings in design elements that reflect the traditional kampong village with interiors by Strickland and Burega Farnell.

Additionally, the resort offers three swimming pools, including one for children, and a Ritz-Kids Club. The Ritz-Carlton Spa will feature signature treatments, including a hammam. Three event venues also are available for small-to-medium events.

Restaurants offer culinary options such as Malay, Chinese, Thai and Indian to reflect Asia’s diversity. A French fine-dining venue and an international beach grill complete the dining experience.

“Partnering with The Ritz-Carlton will further elevate Langkawi as a world-class destination for the international luxury traveler,” said Dato Wira Onn Bin, executive chairman, AJ Resorts SDN BHD.

Victor Clavell, VP, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., Asia-Pacific, said, “Langkawi is one of the great escapes of Asia with its exceptional experiences on land and sea for the well-traveled guest looking for something authentic and unspoilt. The ladies and gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi will bring the best of the local lifestyle and culture, blending it in with our renowned service to create exceptional and memorable experiences.”

HX: The Hotel Experience Has Its Own Story to Tell
The Hotel Business team just returned from this year’s HX: The Hotel Experience, which was held in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. As we usually do post-event, we talk amongst ourselves about trends we noticed at the show, held in conjunction with BDNY. And while the latter—and now larger—show was abundant with design trends (let’s just say blue seemed the prevalent color; bold, geometric forms the dominant shape; and metallics a common thread…pun intended!), the more traditional “hotel” side of the convention center had its own story to tell.